Automatic musical instrument.



No. 676,002. Patented lune ll, I90l. A. JUNGHANS.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Jan. 8, 1901.)

(No Model.)

UNrirn; STATES ATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR JUNGHANS, OF SCIIRAMBERG, GERMANY.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 676,002, dated June 11,1901.

Application filed January 8, 1901. Serial No. 42,475. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR JUNonANs, commercial counselor, a subject ofthe King of Wi'irtemberg,residingat Schramberg,Kingdom of \Viirtemberg,German Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Musical Instruments; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

This invention relates to damping means adapted for use in automaticmusical instruments or musical boxes fitted with steel combs orvibrating tongues, the distinguishing feature of which is that itaccomplishes in a more perfect manner than hitherto the object ofinstantaneously and noiselessly damping each tongue of the comb after itis set in vibration and likewise suspending the damping effectimmediately the next tooth of the tongueplucking wheel or pinion comesinto operation.

The principal improvement of the present invention consists in the factthat each plucking wheel or pinion is provided with as many lateralprojections as it has tongue-vibrating teeth, one of whichprojections-namely, that which happens to be exactly opposite the tonguewhich is being struck or plucked at the time-is adapted in each case tooperate a damper-spring precisely at the right moment. Now thisdamping-spring itself, apart from its lateral spring action, is in noneof its constituent parts capable of any vibration, and it admits of adirect and rapid transmission of the action exercised upon it from thepoint of application of the lateral projection of the pinion to its ownpoint of contact with the tongue. Any jar or noise apt to be caused byfriction is entirely avoided according to the present invention.

A further improvement consists in the special method adopted in fittingtogether the tongue-operating wheels or pinions provided with lateralprojections, as before stated. Each of the wheels or pinions which areset in a row is supplemented by a small disk, which is incapable ofrotary motion, and is provided with an annular space or recess toaccommodate the lateral projections of its adjacent wheel or pinion,while its cylindrical hub or nave affords a bearing for such wheel orpinion. Some of the supplemental disks, which are cut away at one partso as to permit the lateral movement of the damper-springs,may, ifdesired, for the purpose of steadying the supporting shaft or stemagainst vibration be constructed in the shape of auxiliary supports orbrackets. v I

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are sectional elevationsshowing, respectively, the positions of the mechanism at the time ofdamping and at the moment a tongue is struck by a tooth of the wheel orpinion, the damping effect in the latter case being discontinued. Itwill be seen that the supplemental disk, against which the tonguevibrating wheel or pinion is adapted to revolve, is omitted from Fig. 2.Fig. 3 is a top view or plan of a tongue-comb and of a set oftongue-vibrating wheels or pinions arranged in a row upon a square shaftor rod and fitted with their supplemental disks and dampersprings,portions of the tune-sheet being also represented. Fig. 4 is anelevation of a number of pinions with their accessories viewed from thetongue-comb side. Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section ofa nu mberofwheels or pinions and disks arranged in a row, one damper-spring beingshown in the act of damping and others in the inoperative position; andFigs. 6 and 6 show, respectively, a front elevation and an end elevationof a disk I), constructed to serve as a bracket.

The wheels or pinions a, alternating with an nularly-recessedsupplemental disks b, are mounted upon a stationary square rod or shaft0. This shaft is held by uprightsp and at the ends of a supportingbridge or frame 6, arranged upon the plate A, supporting the wholemusical works opposite the comb of tongues Z. Each of the disks Z), byits hub fitting into the cylindrical aperture of the adjoining wheel orpinion a, forms a bearing upon which the wheel or pinion can freelyrevolve. Corresponding to the teeth of the wheels or pinions areconcentrically-arranged projections or nipples (I, rising from one sideof each wheel or pinion, the space required for such nipples to work inbeing afforded by an annular recess r, provided in the adjoining disk.Each disk is formed with agap or opening 9 at the part facing the tongue.2, the projections d moving past this gap or opening at eachintermittent movement of the Wheel or pinion.

The damper-springs fare comparatively wide fiat springs firmly securedto the supporting bridge or frame 6, each of the dampersprings extendingbetween two wheels or pinions and projecting into one of the said gapsor openings 9 of a supplemental disk, the damper-springs being fittedwith inward extensions v for the purpose.

\Vhen the projections (l of the wheels or pinions a are not acting uponthese extensions v, the springs f take up a position in which theirfront parts will exercise lateral pressure against the tongues, andthereby produce a damping effect, as illustrated in the case of thetongue in Fig. 5.

When in the turning of the tunesheet one of its projections imparts apartial revolution to a wheel or pinion, the result is that just beforethe tongue is actuated the projection or nipple d, coming into contactwith the extension 2 presses the damper-spring f laterally out ofcontact with such tongue, (see the lower part of Fig. 5,) so that thelatter is left free to vibrate and emit a sound. The moment theprojection (7 has moved past the extension 1' of the damper-springfthelatter resumes its original position and presses against the tongue,thereby instantaneously damping it-that is, checking the continuation ofits sonorons vibration without any attendant noise. To provide againstany incidental noise, it is deemed essential that the projections (Ishould come in contact with the springs at one point only and that thetransmission of motion over the short space between that point and thepoint of contact with the tongue should be effected by a rigid portionof the body of the spring.

The arrangement of the wheels or pinions (t and the intermediate orspacing disks Z), which, owing to the recessed portions 1", support thewheels or pinions by an annular bearing outside the set of nipples (I,affords additional security against vibration, especially as the Wheelsor pinions, which are made, preferably, somewhat thin, are therebyprotected from any share in the vibratory motion imparted to the tonguesand from consequent lateral wear.

In Figs. 1 and 3, Z) designates one of the disks constructed as abracket, and Figs. 6

and 6 give two detail views of the same. Such a bracket, the base ofwhich is secured to the supporting-bridge e by means of screws 8, willprove useful where the rod or shaft 0 extends unsupported for a somewhatconsiderable distance between the uprightsp and q, so that an additionalsupport at an intermediate point is desirable to protect the said shaftitself from vibration.

\Vhat I claim is- 1. In an automatic musical instrument,having a steelcomb, the combination of tonguevibrating wheels, lateral projectionsupon such wheels, intermediate or supplemental disks, side recesses insuch disks to receive the projections on the wheels and damper-springshaving a tendency to press laterally against the tongues operatedinstantaneously and without any attendant noise by means of the saidprojections, substantially as herein set forth.

2. In an automatic musical instrument having a steel comb, thecombination of tonguevibrating wheels, intermediate disks, annularrecesses in such disks, a rod or shaft upon which such disks aresupported, supports at both ends for said rod and a base attached to adisk intermediate of the end supports, substantially as herein shown anddescribed.

3. In an automatic musical instrument having a steel comb of vibratingtongues,the combination of tongue-vibrating wheels, lateral projectionson one side of each of such wheels, supplemental disks between thewheels, :1. fixed shaft or bar upon which such disks are mounted, a bosson each disk forming a hearing on which its accompanying wheel can turn,an annular recess in each disk to receive the lateral projections on itsaccom panying wheel, an inwardly-projecting flange at the periphery ofeach disk forming an annular supporting-bearing for its wheel,dampersprings having a tendency to press laterally against the tongues,a projection on each damper-spring operated instantaneously by thelateral projections on the vibrating wheels, and a gap or opening ineach disk to receive the projection of its accompanying damperspring,substantially as herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- ARTHUR .lUNGllANS.

\Vi tn esses:

WM. HAHN, F. HAEUSSERMANN.

